I wonder if you guys have read great articles or have book referees about sound design for comedy (which tricks are used and how the sound helps the movie/tv show/etc to be funnier) that you could tell me about! I would really appreciate :)

3 Answers
3

There's an article in The Soundtrack from a few years ago (Volume 1, Number 1) that I think would be well worth reading. It's called "The Sound of Coen Comedy: Music, Dialogue and Sound Effects in Raising Arizona," by Randall Barnes.

Now that I got that out of the way... I haven't read anything about comedy specifically, but I have seen it mentioned in texts about sound design for animation. (I'm looking for a reference... when I find it, I'll let you know.)

@Dave -I'd argue that's not necessarily the same question. Many things can make a sound funny, but a serious sound can make a visual funny. The sound itself does not have to be funny, but it can provide commentary for a visual/action/scenario the creates humor. That's a different technique of sound design that shares the same goal.
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Shaun FarleyAug 12 '10 at 1:22

There are no rules. There are only lessons to be learned from watching the movies that made you laugh!

At the risk of repeating some of what @Ryan wrote, there is no formula for making a soundtrack "funny" -- just the idea of that doesn't make much sense since the same sound to two different people will elicit different reactions. Making it funny is partly about timing, partly about context. Some techniques I've found useful and effective:

Use your sound moment to make a
statement, whether it be over-the-top
or understated

Try to tell the story with a sound
that is unexpected

Try to tell the story with a sound
that is completely expected (and
perhaps cliché)

Use timing to your advantage

If the film is a remake, sequel or
reminiscent of another film, try
using sounds from those films as an
homage